"I could have done better. It was a battle on the floor," said Harden. "I tried to step up my game as much as I could. I don't keep track of my points when I am on the court."

Tajuan Porter had 18 points for the Ducks (6-16, 0-10), who remained the only winless team in the Pac-10. Joevan Catron added nine points and six rebounds.

"It's a tough match-up. We did all we could to stop Harden tonight," said Catron. "He took over the game. Coming out to the second half, we were just slow. Then we made some freshman mistakes executing the plays and the veteran team took advantage of us. I am not satisfied at all."

The Sun Devils received a scare when starting guard Derek Glasser tumbled to the floor and remained on his back for several minutes after running into a screen set by Catron with 1:33 remaining. A groggy Glasser was helped to his feet and was assisted off the court.

Harden hit a pair of free throws and put in a layup in the final minute of the half to give ASU a 32-27 lead at intermission.

The Sun Devils opened breathing room by scoring the initial eight points of the second half with Harden nailing a pair of three-pointers and Jerren Shipp contributing a layup.

Harden's jam made it 49-35 with just over 11 minutes left, and the Ducks couldn't get closer than seven the rest of the way.